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Original poster

Colonoscopy tips

84 replies

bananaapplepears · 11/05/2026 14:26

I had a positive FIT test with a result of 13. I'd had one episode of bright red bleeding earlier in the year (following constipation) and one other episode of constipation. I'm early 40s. Now I've been referred for a colonoscopy. I've heard people vomit with the prep. I have emetophobia so need to know how common this is. Did you vomit during colonoscopy prep?
Any other tips except cooling the liquid and drinking through a straw?

OP posts:
Legofan70 · Yesterday 09:16

bananaapplepears · Yesterday 09:09

If you have to do it again then ask the doctor to prescribe anti sickness medication. I've taken an anti sickness pill before my doses and don't feel sick at all. I do feel really tired and drained though.

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Thank you. I remember having an operation some years back an had to fast beforehand felt sick then after the op I didn’t react well to the morphine so was sick was given anti sickness medication but didn’t seem to do much to help.

maftan · Yesterday 09:18

@nappysan They didn't give you enough of the sedation juice! Either that or you are one of those people who have to be knocked on the head with a mallet to zone out! I would jump off the table if I could see or hear anything that was going on, honestly I would hate it. Any time I've had these tests (many times), I feel the drug going into the cannula and absolutely nothing, nada after that until I am (semi) awake in the ward.

Is that just me, or the dosage, the type of drug or what? I get a mix of midazolam and fentanyl. Lovely stuff 😊

Original poster
bananaapplepears · Yesterday 12:40

Legofan70 · Yesterday 09:16

Thank you. I remember having an operation some years back an had to fast beforehand felt sick then after the op I didn’t react well to the morphine so was sick was given anti sickness medication but didn’t seem to do much to help.

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How is it going?

OP posts:
Beccin · Yesterday 12:50

I’ve had two colonoscopies. The first one I managed to get all the prep down, and I didn’t vomit.
the second one I vomited after the second dose of plenvu, and the prep was not great. So I get a new colonoscopy after 6 months with a different prep.
Hopefully you won’t vomit, it seems like most people don’t.

ItsAllInThePrompt · Yesterday 15:04

nappysan · 20/05/2026 22:29

The prep is not nearly so bad as I was expecting. For me the resulting diarrhoea was much milder and less acidic and burny as I had been accustomed to. It didn’t hurt or burn and I was expecting it, so was all ok.
i had sedative but remember everything, the gas and air was helpful, I found it very painful.
unfortunately the staff were very dismissive of my attempts to communicate, especially after the sedative “she’s off her head, she won’t remember”
they talked over my questions and attempts at conversation. Laughing at my observing the rainbows onscreen when they took the samples and ignored me crying when they turned the heavy metal Music back on after I had been shocked at having it blaring when I was wheeled in and asked if it could be turned off.
I am sure the sedation made it all much easier but the staff need to realise that it’s possible to be conscious and in pain and remember in horrendous detail the entire process.
i hope you have a much easier experience

This is what worried me - so I insisted I'd only do it under propofol - which they did without fuss. It took a little longer to sort out as it needed the correct staff but was worth it in the end as a proper, zero-stress, no recall experience.

I found the plenvu very easy personally - but I started the low-fibre diet many more days before hand as someone had recommended + due to the propofol it was very early in the morning (less stress waiting). Strangely I wasn't even hungry after either - you would expect to be starving - but they insist you eat something as a way of proving you are okay I guess. The propofol wears off in a flash as well.

Legofan70 · Yesterday 18:25

bananaapplepears · Yesterday 12:40

How is it going?

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Managed the first prep but the second I just couldn’t complete. Very nauseous. They did the scope but couldn’t get too far round but far enough to see what the scan showed. Finally had some food and a cup of tea.
hope your doing ok.

Original poster
bananaapplepears · Yesterday 18:47

Legofan70 · Yesterday 18:25

Managed the first prep but the second I just couldn’t complete. Very nauseous. They did the scope but couldn’t get too far round but far enough to see what the scan showed. Finally had some food and a cup of tea.
hope your doing ok.

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I'm just home. Everything was fine. So you won't need to re-do yours?

OP posts:
Legofan70 · Yesterday 18:49

bananaapplepears · Yesterday 18:47

I'm just home. Everything was fine. So you won't need to re-do yours?

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Possibly but if I do I’ll be given laxatives to take before to help. Glad it all went well.

TheignT · Yesterday 18:59

maftan · 20/05/2026 19:41

You could try full fat/sugar Sprite or lemonade in between. It worked for me to keep me from that empty feeling, must have been the sugar in it! It's not for long and you will devour the tea and toast after the job is done! Are you taking sedation?

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Toast? No no no I got the most wonderful ham sandwich with my cup of tea. It truly was a culinary masterpiece

I was hungry, can you tell

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